"Peabody police were on alert as a planned "takeover" of the Northshore Mall was scheduled for Friday at 3 p.m., according to a Facebook post from the department. The event, referred to as a "Northshore Mall takeover," was expected to take place four hours before a similar gathering - a " South Shore Mall takeover " - was set for 7 p.m. Friday. In its post, the Peabody Police Department said it is prioritizing public safety for mall visitors, employees, business owners, and city residents."
"Also known as vehicle takeovers or car meetups, the incidents involved large crowds blocking off streets for car burnouts, donuts, and drag racing. In early October, police in Boston, Fall River, Middleborough, Dedham, and Randolph all responded to similar incidents on the same night. In one instance, the meetup escalated when a crowd set a police cruiser aflame in Boston's South End. Other incidents in Boston's West Roxbury neighborhood, Fall River, and Randolph involved people lighting fireworks in the street and attacking police cruisers."
"Gov. Maura Healey later issued a $14 million safety grant to aid with prevention efforts. During an Oct. 16 press conference, she condemned the meetups. Additional material from reporter Darin Zullo was used in this report."We have zero tolerance for this kind of behavior," Healey said. "It poses a real significant threat to public safety and certainly harms quality of life in our"
Peabody police monitored a planned Northshore Mall 'takeover' scheduled for Friday at 3 p.m., aiming to protect mall visitors, employees, business owners, and residents. The event was expected four hours before a South Shore Mall takeover set for 7 p.m. Police coordinated with local and state law enforcement and prepared responses for public safety concerns. Vehicle takeovers involve large crowds blocking streets for burnouts, donuts, and drag racing. Similar incidents in early October brought responses in Boston, Fall River, Middleborough, Dedham, and Randolph and included attacks on police cruisers and fireworks. Governor Maura Healey issued a $14 million safety grant and condemned the meetups.
Read at Boston.com
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